Salmonella Case Count Update

US - A total of 76 persons infected with outbreak strain of <em>Salmonella</em> Montevideo have been reported from 22 states. The 10 new cases are from seven states: Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (2), Nebraska (3), and Texas (1).

Among the persons who reported the date they became ill, illnesses began between 28 February 2012 and 15 July 2012. Infected individuals range in age from less than 1 year to 83 years, and 37 per cent of ill persons are 10 years of age or younger. Forty-nine percent of ill persons are female. Among 54 ill persons with available information, 17 (31 per cent) have been hospitalized. One death was reported in Missouri, but Salmonella infection was not considered a contributing factor in this person’s death.

Findings of multiple traceback investigations of live baby poultry from homes of ill persons have identified Estes Hatchery in Springfield, Missouri as the source of chicks and ducklings. The owners of the mail-order hatchery are cooperating with public health and agriculture officials. Estes Hatchery is a participant in the USDA-National Poultry Improvement Plan, which is a program to eliminate Salmonella Pullorum (Salmonella enterica serotype Pullorum) and Salmonella typhoid (Salmonella enterica serotype Gallinarum) from breeder flocks but does not certify freedom from other strains of Salmonella in birds.

Illnesses that occurred after 3 July 2012 might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.